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MUMBAI: The controversy over a brand of luxury pen that depicts Mahatma Gandhi as brand ambassador for its new range spiralled on Thursday. A

division bench of Kerala high court issued notice to the Central government, Mont Blanc International and other respondents on a writ petition seeking a ban on the sale of the Mont Blanc gold pen that bears the image and signature of Mahatma Gandhi.

The petition has been filed by Dijo Kappen, who is managing trustee of the Centre for Consumer Education at Pala in Kottayam. In the run-up to the Mahatma's 140th birth anniversary, Mont Blanc International designed a luxury fountain pen to commemorate the Dandi March where 3,000 people are believed to have walked 241 miles beside the Mahatma to defy the British.

Launched on September 29, the limited edition consists of 241 pens costing Rs 11.39 lakh each. The product was manufactured and marketed with the consent of Tushar Gandhi, Gandhiji's great-grandson. Mont Blanc has contributed Rs 72 lakh to Tushar's charity, the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation.

Tushar said he was prepared to defend himself in court if the need arose. "The product is a tribute rather than the exploitation of the Mahatma. My conscience is clear because I stand to make no personal profit from the deal."
Deccan Cronical